Denver D

I really like Denver's defense this week against Oakland so pick them up if they're available in your league and you need a win. The Broncos offense is starting to click and once Javon Walker gets involved the rest of the league better watch out. A solid Broncos offense will take pressure off the defense and definitely lead to more turnovers. Furthermore, it is rumored that Oakland will let Jamarcus Russell play this week and a rookie quarterback in his first game could mean lots of turnovers.

Warning

Those listed below should not start this weekend on any fantasy football roster.

Baltimore defense
Kevin Jones
Javon Walker
Andre Hall
Lamont Jordan

Asking for help

I would like to ask you all for suggestions on how I could make this blog or the page better for all of you. Let me know what you would like more/less of. Please send suggestions to tonyfarmer45@yahoo.com. Also use that email address if you would like to apply early to be in the Fantasy Challenge league next season and you live in Norwich or one of the 11-12 surrounding towns.

R.I.P.

Rest in peace Sean Taylor. It’s a shame too many people are talking about your fines on the field and legal troubles off it. My thoughts and prayers are with the Taylor family and the Redskins Organization.

The Wolfe Man

With recent reports indicating Cedric Benson’s season is over, conventional wisdom suggests you pick up Chicago’s Adrian Peterson, who just became a starter. I like Peterson and completely agree with that advice, but he isn’t the only player who will benefit from Benson’s absence.

Garrett Wolfe, who has been relegated to mainly spot duty on third downs, will get more opportunities. As someone who has seen Wolfe in person while playing for Northern Illinois, I can tell you Wolfe is a serious talent.

I generally hate when people give themselves more evaluating credibility when they’ve seen someone play in person, but in this case the live view gave me so much respect for Wolfe’s speed, which made opposing safeties look like they had on 20 extra pounds of equipment. On that day Wolfe rushed for more than 350 yards against Ball State, and I’ll never forget saying to myself, “If this guy gets an opportunity in the NFL, he’s going to be dangerous.” Wolfe now has that opportunity with Benson going down.

I don’t think Wolfe will have much of an impact this week, but he’s definitely a must-have in keeper leagues and he’s a sleeper candidate for this season’s playoffs.

What the...?

Can someone explain to me why Bill Belicheat hates Laurence Maroney? The man is one of the best running backs in the game and claims he's healthy yet doesn't get a single first half carry? I understand Madden and Michael's point about Kevin Faulk's style fitting the game plan more, but nobody, including myself, saw this coming.

The thing is, if Maroney scored four times next week I wouldn't be shocked. This team is so hard to figure out, but I suppose that is partly what makes them so good.

Bench Smith

It may sound crazy vs. the Saints, but do not start Steve Smith this week. With Vinny out, Smith will struggle to find the endzone. I wouldn't be shocked if Smih grabs six or seven passes, but don't expect any to count for six points. I've benched Smith in favor of D.J. Hackett and Lee Evans in one TDheavy league.

Turkey Day Studs/Duds

Since the Fantasy Football page is printed the day after the three Thanksgiving Day games, I want to provide you all with some studs and duds for Thursday's contests. Enjoy and good luck this week!

Studs:

Greg Jennings: Favre will obviously have a big day, but I suspect it will be Jennings, not Donald Driver, who has that best day among Packers tight ends.

Donald Lee: He's in store for a big game. I'd say his chances of scoring a thanksgiving touchdown are at about 75%.

Duds:

Warrick Dunn: The Colts run defense isn't great, but the Colts will get up big early and that means less carries for Dunn. Do not start unless you are VERY desperate.

Thomas Jones: Same as the Dunn theory. Jones won't get many more than 15 carries so his production will be limited.

Two new starters

It looks like adding Derrick Ward and Kolby Smith will be the biggest fantasy football trend this week. The latest news I've heard is that Ward might be ready to take over for the injured Brandon Jacobs (you're welcome for those of you who took my advice and traded him away) and Smith might be the new starter in Kansas City.

The news on Holmes' injury is pretty recent and I've already got two emails from people asking my thoughts on Smith. Honestly, I don't like him. However he has a great chance to shine this week because he's playing the Raiders. I've got him on my roster for that reason this week in one league and I'll basically start him as a RB3. Smith will do an average job, upgrade him in points per reception leagues and downgrade him in touchdown heavy formats.

Chris Henry

I love Chris Henry's match-up with Arizona this week. In fact I'm starting him over Steve Smith, Calvin Johnson, Jerricho Cotchery and D.J. Hackett in one league. I'm expecting over 100 yards and two scored from Henry who will obviously present Arizona with all sorts of problems. Also, Carson Palmer is in for a big day, but I think that goes without saying.

Add of the week

If you have someone wasting space on your roster and you're looking to make a move which will add depth to your roster then consider adding Isaac Bruce this week. In Week 2 against San Francisco, Bruce caught eight passes for 145 yards. Bruce will meet the 49ers again this week and their secondary is actually in worse shape than the first time they met.

Bruce has been showing signs as of late as well. The veteran has caught 10 passes for 132 yards the last two weeks as he regains his health. The Rams defense is VERY BAD so that means he'll be on the field a lot. December 2nd Bruce deserves a start in deep leagues against Atlanta and the following week he could start in just about any league against the Bengals.

Mail bag

Coach-

I've been reading your blog all season, and it has been extremely helpful. I am 5-5 right now and i need to win out. I want to upgrade my QB (Eli Manning) to someone who can put up more fantasy points consistently. I have the option to give up plaxico burress for brett favre, but i fear favre is just on a streak. Will he continue to produce, or should i look elsewhere? Is there an undervalued QB that could be a solid second halfer? My line up is as follows:

Eli Manning
Plaxico Burress
Lee Evans
Maurice Jones Drew
Lendale White
Jason Witten
Chester Taylor
Chris Henry
Greg jennings
Marc bulger
Mason Crosby
SD Def

Any suggestions?

Sincerely,
Mike


Hey Mike,

I would not recommend trading Plax for Favre for a couple reasons. The weather in Green Bay and a renewed commitment to the run game will eventually hurt Favre’s production. Second, having an Eli Manning/Marc Bulger rotation (start Bulger Dec. 2nd) isn’t bad when you’ve got Plaxico on your team. Think of it this way, If Plaxico has a multiple touchdown day, you’ve pretty much guaranteed yourself a win.

As for suggestions, I would actually recommend you stay put for now. As you know, I love the promise of Evans and Henry for the second half of the season and it looks like you can get some production out of Chester Taylor too.

You’re going to love the Chargers’ production too since they play the Chiefs with Brodie Croyle and perhaps no L.J., Jacksonville with a backup QB or unhealthy David Garrard, Baltimore’s struggling offense, and the Lions who couldn’t even rack up positive rush yards last week.

In other words, I think you’ve already got the pieces to make a second half run. Good luck.

Desperation moves

If you held out for Shaun Alexander or Deion Branch and were dissapointed with nes they will be out tonight, then you're likely scrambling for a RB/WR replacement right about now. I recomend Ashley Lelie and and Leonard Weaver is Maurice Morris is taken. I'd take those guys over Maurice Hicks and Michael Robinson.

I think the conditions are right for Weaver to notch a touchdown tonight.

Taylor made

Nobody knows the extent of Adrian Peterson's injury so go grab Chester Taylor if he's in your free agent pool. The Vikings offensive line makes anyone an instant top-15 running back so Taylor, who has plenty of starting experience, is surely worth a spot on your roster while we wait for word on Peterson.

Another option

Another WR option became available this week when it was announced Marvin Harrison will definitely be out Sunday night against the Chargers. Since Anthony Gonzalez is also out, Aaron Moorehead is likely to start and see plenty of targets from Peyton Manning. Consider Moorehead an average WR3 start for your squad this weekend.

What kind of an impact will this have on the rest of the Colts? Downgrade Manning slightly and Wayne slightly as well. Some say Wayne benefits from Harrison's absence because of increased targets, but I say increased double teams hurt more. Joseph Addai should get more carries and should benefit the most.

The Priest

I don't care if you're a Larry Johnson owner. I don't care if you're not even a football fan. How can anyone not feel good for Priest Holmes this week as he gets a start against a shoddy run defense (Denver).

Some reports are even suggesting Larry Johnson is out for the season. If that's the case, Holmes will get a chance to touch the ball 15 times a game as he'll likely share carris with Kolby Smith. Both Smith and Holmes should no longer be free agents in your league. If they aren't grab 'em.

Random fantasy notes

*Bengals WR Chris Henry has been activated this week and faces a decent match-up against Baltimore next week. Usually games against Baltimore aren’t considered decent match-ups, but I’m watching Big Ben dismantle the Ravens who are without their top two cornerbacks. It’s tough to tell how much rust Henry will have, but I promise he will be a great WR2 option on your team well before the fantasy playoffs start. Hopefully you took my repeated advice and picked him up a few weeks back.

*All the talk about Broncos running back Travis Henry suggests his pending suspension is becoming less of an issue and some even suggest Henry may not miss a game this season if he and his legal team continue to stall. However, nobody seems to be asking the following question: If the Broncos season ends up in the toilet (some would argue it’s there now), would it not be in the team’s best interest to eat the suspension now and gear up for next season?

*Brandon Jackson has ticked off many fantasy owners who drafted him with the idea that he would be a starting back. Jackson should be a free agent in every league on the planet, but I say don’t count him out yet. Wynn is out of the picture, Morency is a third down back and Grant hasn’t proved to me that he can take a 20-carry pounding each week. He may not be worth a spot on your roster yet, but monitor Jackson’s carries each week and be ready to pull the trigger.

Last-minute suggestion

San Francisco 49ers RB Michael Robinson would make a great flex option this week since it's just been announced Frank Gore will be out (ankle). Robinson is a decent redzone runner and he's a former QB (Penn State) so a trick play or two might be in order and you could squeeze out a lucky TD pass.

Super Sleepers

Below are three players who I'm calling "super sleepers." Only start them in deeper leagues and if you're desperate.

*Ladell Betts

*Rian Lindell

*Delanie Walker

Go get 'em

If D.J. Hackett, Chris Henry (WR), Vernon Davis or L.J. Smith are free agents in your league...go get 'em. Lee Evans won't be a free agent, but could be had for cheap so make a deal. I expect big things from Evans in the second half now that J.P. Losman has taken over